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The Secret Life of the American Teenager Review: "Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner"

It seems that Brenda Hampton got my notes about ways to improve Secret Life. Mature outlooks and relationships that stick? My oh my, "Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner" did not disappoint.

Ricky has come a long way since his days as a skirt chasing bad boy. His life with Amy and John is something he feels passionately about protecting and that is an endearing quality.

Ricky has no reason to really trust his birth mother, Nora, or do her any favors. Yet he still finds a place for her to live and a job, since she can't stay with him due to his custody agreement.

Even later in the episode when he wanted to back out of taking John to meet Nora, Amy convinced him to come around. One of my favorite things on a TV show is when they guy who lets you down shows up after all. I'm sure you ladies know what I'm talking about, like on Sex and the City when Trey showed up to Charlotte's coveted House & Gardens shoot even though they are getting divorced.

This was my I heart Ricky moment.

In Adrian's quest to understand whether or not she truly loves Ben, she gave Ricky a buzz and asked him how things were with Amy. He says they're great and you know what? I truly believed him. Just like I believed that Adrian's reaction to Ben's proposal was genuine.

Last week I hoped that they would grow up a little bit and stop competing with Amy and Ricky and I think they are finally on that path. Ben's proposal was adorable and Adrian appeared to finally get her answer: Yes she loves Ben.

Maybe I'm feeling optimistic, but there was a lot of growth in this episode.

Ashley started to get the swing of homeschooling. For once I wasn't hating on her and I empathized with the feeling of everyone around you growing into places you're not ready for.

Ricky started to accept Nora and asked to meet her girlfriend. Grace realized that just because she loves someone doesn't mean she needs to have sex with them. Adrian and Ben are now engaged and preparing for their baby girl.

Granted, this is a television drama. So let's see how long the bliss lasts. Meanwhile, enjoy it while you can!